Teacher Education Curricula (Secondary)
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Education have developed a coherent set of experiences on campus, in schools, and in communities that will prepare our students to become skilled, knowledgeable, and committed teachers. There are two ways that students may obtain teacher certification through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Students preparing for teacher certification in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, mathematics, physics, and social studies: These students complete a teaching option offered through an LAS major and the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. Upon completion of the option and the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching, students will earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as teaching certification. Conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Science or Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to completion of the minor requires approval by petition to the LAS Student Affairs Office.
Students preparing for teacher certification in any of seven foreign languages (French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese): Students following these programs complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of French (or German, etc.) or the Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese or Japanese). Education courses and other courses required for teacher certification are integrated within each curriculum.
More detailed information pertaining to specific course requirements for each of the programs in both groups is provided by academic advisers. Only through regular communication with the teacher education adviser may the student be assured of the appropriateness of his or her program. Students are advised that certification requirements may be altered at any time by the State Teacher Certification Board or by the legislature. In such cases, students may be compelled to satisfy the new requirements to qualify for the University's recommendation for certification. Also see the Council on Teacher Education section for information pertinent to all teacher education and specific areas of teacher education listed in the LAS Programs of Study section of this catalog.
Teaching of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies
Students following any of the teaching options in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum must complete all the course requirements for that curriculum. When they select their major, they may also select a "Pre-Teaching professional attribute," which reflects their intent to complete the requirements for teacher certification as part of their undergraduate program.
Transfer into the Teaching Option within a major can be made only by students who have received approval to complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. Approval for the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching is gained by successful application to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education.
Two prerequisite courses must be completed before transfer to the Teaching Option in any major: EPSY 201 and EPS 201 or EPS 202. Additionally, each major stipulates other prerequisite courses that must be completed before admission to the Teaching Option. Interested students should see the academic advisers in the major for information on prerequisite courses.
Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for admission to a teacher preparation program pass the Illinois Certification Testing System test of Basic Skills prior to admission.
Many students will be able to complete all the prerequisite courses for transfer into the Teaching Option of their major by the spring of their sophomore year; those students may be able to complete the requirements for the Bachelor's degree in LAS, the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching and all other requirements for teacher certification in four years.
Students who establish eligibility to transfer into the teaching option of their major in the spring of their junior year will need five years to satisfy the requirements for teacher certification.
General Education Requirements
Students in LAS undergraduate programs leading to secondary certification will be expected to complete the LAS general education requirements as well as any program-specific course work. Students should contact the Director of Secondary Education Programs for general education advising.
Teaching of Foreign Languages
This section contains a description of the requirements for programs leading to the bachelor's degree in teacher education. More detailed information pertaining to specific course requirements for each area of specialization is provided by departmental advisers. It is essential that the student fulfill the specific course requirements of his or her program in order to be eligible for the bachelor's degree in teacher education. Only through regular communication with the teacher education adviser may the student be assured of the appropriateness of his or her semester program. Students are advised that certification requirements may be altered at any time by the State Teacher Certification Board or by the legislature. In such cases, students may be compelled to satisfy the new requirements to qualify for the University's recommendation for certification. Also see the Council on Teacher Education section for information pertinent to all teacher education curricula.Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for admission to a teacher preparation program pass the Illinois Certification Testing System test of Basic Skills prior to admission. Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for certification pass an oral proficiency test in their content major language prior to student teaching.
General education requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must be fulfilled by students pursuing teacher education curricula in that college (see General Education requirements listed above). If the requirements of the teaching major satisfy the general education requirements in an area, they will be noted in the curriculum statement. For more information, consult the certification officer (505 East Green Suite 203).